"A Marketplace of Knowledge and Experience" at Kiel Congress in June 2014

The knowledge and skills gained during the Kiel Congress could help establish paediatric dermatology as a subspecialty within Germany.

With the statement “dermatologists and paediatricians go hand in hand" Regina Fölster-Holst, Professor within the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology at UKSH on Kiel Campus, invited participants to take part in the 12th Congress of the European Society for Paediatric Dermatology (ESPD).

650 participants from 51 countries found themselves submerged in a “marketplace of knowledge and experience” during their time at Kiel Congress and encountered the professional, ‘family like’ atmosphere that is intrinsic to all Kiel Department of Dermatology events.

In particular, recently found or, more specifically, recently defined disease entities, new therapies and treatment concepts, in addition to “Regenerative Medicine", were important topics of interest. For example, within Madrid’s Department of Dermatology, in the last five years through subtle observation, new diseases have been found, or rather defined, such as through the work of Antonio Torrelo (Madrid) and the discovery of the PENS Syndrome (Papular Epidermal Nevi with ‘Skyline’ Basal Cell Syndrome).

Amy Paller (North Carolina) reported, amongst other subjects, on “pulse therapy” in relation to the proactive treatment of eczema in conjunction with cortisone. At low inflammatory, topical application of a cream or ointment containing cortisone on the infected area two of three times per week often proved sufficient.

The innovative, recently approved therapy of infantile haemangioma with orally administered propranolol was detailed thoroughly in a symposium by Christine Leaute-Labrèze (Bordeaux). This treatment, found by coincidence and also looked at by Peter Höger (Hamburg), discovered that the chance of success of this treatment, if used early in the proliferative phase of a haemangioma and carried out in accordance with the given guidance, was as high as 98% - these results included the treatment of large haemangioma.

Past treatments for haemangioma, such as radiotherapy, cryotherapy or surgery, often resulted in only partial recovery and in some cases disfiguring scars. Therefore these treatments have been confined largely to the past.

John McGrath (London), who was awarded the Urs Schnyder Prize for his research in the field of “Regenerative Medicine”, reported on his work in tissue bio-engineering.

The German Foundation for Paediatric Dermatology (Deutschen Stiftung Kinderdermatologie – DSK) awarded the Dr. Nicole Brandl Prize to Rudolf Happle (Freiburg), Emeritus Professor of Dermatology at Philipps University of Marburg, for his life’s work in the study of Mosaic syndrome within dermatology.

Other prizes awarded were given not only for the “best poster” and “best lecture”, but the creative input of the children themselves was also recognised.

The appreciation of the views of children was shown within the conference through the awarding of a prize for the best self-portrait, under the heading of “My Skin Itches”. For this competition children were asked to paint pictures of themselves that conveyed the often agonizing irritation of the skin they have suffered.

12th ESPD Congress - Kiel, Germany

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

It is our great pleasure to invite you to attend the 12th Congress of the European Society for Pediatric Dermatology (ESPD) to be held in Kiel, Germany, 12–14 June 2014.

To achieve the highest quality of training and academic interactions the scientific programme will include plenary lectures, sessions, courses, industry symposia, free communications, and topics covering some of the latest developments in clinical and experimental Paediatric Dermatology. The structure of the programme will also offer ample opportunities to discuss specific issues with the experts.

Social interactions should not be missed and a charming evening programme will be organised in the typical atmosphere of the region. Networking between the dermatological and paediatric disciplines will support international exchange and deepen the cooperation.

We are looking forward to welcoming you in Kiel in June 2014 to the 12th ESPD Congress!

With best regards

Regina Fölster-Holst

Congress President

Registration

Active European doctors and researchers in the field of Pediatric Dermatology are kindly welcome to join the Society. Membership will be given after registration and payment of the annual fee consisting in:

The third Summer School was a great success not only for its high educational quality but also for its social events.

The first Summer school was in Istanbul about “Pediatric emergencies” in 2009 and the second was on the boat around Greek Islands in 2011. It was a great opportunity for friendship of pediatric dermatologists and to share the experiences about genetic disorders and abnormalities of babies.

The third Summer School in Rotterdam's main subject was allergy in children, in addition to main subject a course on hemangiomas and other presentations about other diseases were very helpful to share newest knowledge about pediatric dermatology.

I want to congratulate dear Flora de Waard-van der Spek and her team for this great job.

Rotterdam was cold and rainy but the atmosphere of meeting was very warm. The participants were listened Flora’s very special and cordial speech about the retirement of Prof. Dr. Arnold Oranje, and the poem for him with teardrops at the beginning of gala dinner.

After this we sang together for him and shouted his name very loudly again and again: ARNOLD! ARNOLD! …

Romantic tango of Arnold with his wife was unforgettable at the end of the night.

I want to congratulate and thank Arnold and Flora for unforgettable days in Rotterdam

Prof. Dr. Umit Uksal

President of ESPD

ESPD Congress in Kiel

Details for the ESPD Congress in Kiel from 12-14th June 2014 can now be found under www.espd2014.com.

On the webpage you can find the preliminary program and general information about the upcoming congress.

More updates will follow over the coming months so be sure to check back from time to time.

The congress provides specialists a world forum for sharing the latest knowledge and receiving updates on the treatment and prevention of pediatric infectious diseases. Organized by the World Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases (WSPID), this biennial congress is the largest gathering of its kind. See you in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, on November 18-21, 2015.